Highlights
- Bar games
- Live performances
- Great beer selection
oChef » 9lb Hammer – Seattle
9lb Hammer - Seattle
Photo from 9lb Hammer
9lb Hammer at a glance
Seattle Van Asselt
- 🍻 Bar & Pub
$$
Price per Person $21–$30
mentioned by 21 of the guests
#425 out of 858 places to eat in Seattle
#47 Bar & Pub out of 78 in Seattle
Good
7.5 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
215
Reviews
78.6%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Friendly staff
- Lively games
Frequently criticized
- Food inconsistency
- Service issues
The bar & pub 9lb Hammer in Seattle’s Van Asselt neighborhood offers a truly authentic experience. You’ll discover a cozy and casual spot where the atmosphere is always buzzing.
Known for its great beer selection, this local favorite invites you to unwind. Whether you’re looking for a relaxed evening or some lively entertainment, you’ll find it here.
Overview: Introducting 9lb Hammer
9lb Hammer offers a distinctive experience, often praised for its friendly staff and cool vibe. Many appreciate the relaxed atmosphere, making it a comfortable spot to unwind.
However, some experiences point to inconsistent food quality and occasional issues with bartender attitude. This establishment seems to strike a balance between a welcoming environment and areas needing attention.
While the affordable beverages are a draw, diners should be aware of potential variations in their culinary journey.
Good
7.5
out of 10
215
Reviews
78.6%
Satisfaction
33
negative
13
neutral
169
positive
With an overall Restaurant Score of 7.5 and Customer Satisfaction at 78.6%, 9lb Hammer generally leaves a good impression. This positive sentiment is built on 169 positive remarks against 33 negative ones, out of 215 total customer comments.
Looking closer, Ambience (7.8) stands out, closely followed by Service (7.5), which customers frequently praise. Food (7.2) also rates well, though Value (5.8) is more of a mixed bag, indicating some price concerns despite generally fair pricing.
What people like
- Friendly, engaging service
- Lively game atmosphere
- Good drink selection
What people don't like
- Inconsistent food quality
- Occasional rude service
- Specific items overpriced
If you’re seeking a casual spot with a lively atmosphere and a good selection of drinks, 9lb Hammer is worth considering. The 7.7 recommendation score suggests many find it a solid choice for a relaxed outing, especially if you prioritize the social aspect and games.
However, approach the food menu with tempered expectations, as experiences can vary. While the service is often excellent, be mindful that some patrons have encountered less-than-friendly interactions.
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Verdict: Our expert take on 9lb Hammer
Food (7.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 67% of the guests
When it comes to the food, things are looking pretty good! With a solid score of 7.2 and customer satisfaction at a healthy 73.8%, many folks are leaving happy. Out of 61 comments, a whopping 45 were positive, praising everything from the great veggie burgers and delicious foods to the amazing cheese curds and good selection of beers.
It seems theres plenty to enjoy on the menu! However, its not all perfect, as 11 negative comments point out. Some found the burger to be unseasoned or overcooked, and there were mentions of bacon being charcoal crispy.
A more serious concern was finding grey hair in food, and a few noted a limited food menu. These are definitely areas where they could improve.
Food
61
Reviews
73%
Satisfaction
11
negative
5
neutral
45
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Great veggie burgers
- Amazing cheese curds
- Good beer selection
What people don't like
- Hair in food
- Unseasoned burgers
- Limited food menu
Often praised
- foodthe food was really good
- beergreat place to grab a beer
- cocktailsthey were making cocktails left and right
- drinksgreat drinks
- 9lb hammer portersignature home of the 9lb hammer porter
- FoodFood:4
- GuinnessMy experience at this dive bar in Seattle was fantastic. They offer a great pour of Guinness and the food was seriously good. The service and atmosphere both received a perfect 5/5, and the food was rated a 4/5.
- Guinness stoutbest poured Guinness stout there that I've had in a long time
- authentic foodMy experience at this restaurant was exceptional. It's an institution, offering 100% pure and authentic food without any gimmicks. The atmosphere was both capacious yet intimate, creating a unique dining environment.
- awesome bar foodawesome bar food
Frequently criticized
- burgerburger that wasn’t very overcooked and with absolutely zero seasoning
- baconthe bacon was charcoal crispy
- bologna meet sandwichordered the bologna meet sandwich and found a long piece of grey hair
- cocktailstold me they don't do cocktails despite me getting one from there just the other day
- drinksDrinks weren’t great either
- foodfood was so gross
- food menuNot much of a food menu currently
- grey hairfound a long piece of grey hair in my food
- sloppy Joesloppy Joe was just mashed up ground beef and bbq sauce
- starsnearly half the stars
If youre looking for some solid bar food, especially those highly-praised cheese curds and veggie burgers, this spot is definitely worth a try. Just be aware that some experiences with the burgers have been hit or miss, and keep an eye out for consistency issues. Its a good bet for casual eats, but maybe not for a gourmet burger experience.
Service (7.5 out of 10)
mentioned by 63% of the guests
When it comes to service, this spot generally hits the mark with a solid score of 7.5, indicating a good experience for many. Customer satisfaction also looks good at 76.2%, showing most folks leave happy. With 32 positive remarks out of 42, many rave about the friendly people, especially the bar staff and professional bartenders like Sully, who make guests feel welcome and create a great vibe.
However, it's not all sunshine and rainbows. There are 10 negative comments, primarily pointing to issues with some bartenders. Concerns include rude bartenders, condescending attitudes, and even serious accusations of discriminatory behavior, particularly an unwillingness to serve patrons of color.
These experiences clearly left a sour taste for some.
Service
42
Reviews
76%
Satisfaction
10
negative
0
neutral
32
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly bar staff
- Professional bartenders
- Excellent service
What people don't like
- Rude bartenders
- Discriminatory service
- Horrible service
Often praised
- staffThe servings were big and the prices were good, offering great value. The staff were friendly, contributing to a welcoming atmosphere. I particularly loved the dark interior, painted in black and red, which created a unique ambiance.
- bartendersThe 2 bartenders I've seen are super friendly
- serviceThe service was also top-notch
- ServiceService:5
- bartenderThe bartender there was really cool and nice
- Annelise the bartenderAnnelise the bartender was incredible and made our experience unforgettable
- SullyI totally love the new place connected next door (Maude’s) and found it to be a great spot with a cool vibe. The service was also excellent, as Sully was fabulous. The food was really good.
- bar staffthe bar staff were super friendly and personable
- beer knowledgeSuper nice bartender who did know beers.
- folksThe folks here are nice and pretty friendly
Frequently criticized
- bartenderthe second time there was a different bartender and she was mean
- serviceThe service was a horrible experience
- bartender on dutyBartender at the time had an attitude with us
- bartender was rudebarbtender was rude
- bartendersThe bartenders here exhibit discriminatory behavior
- basic courtesyMy experience at this restaurant was marked by discriminatory behavior from the bartenders. On my second visit, they again failed to extend basic courtesy to patrons of color who were waiting for service. I will certainly not be returning, and I suspect they will be pleased to hear it, as they are the same bar.
- patrons of colorunwilling to serve patrons of color
Overall, youre likely to find friendly and professional service, especially from the bar staff, making for a good time. However, be aware that some experiences have been marred by rude or even discriminatory bartenders, which could definitely spoil your visit. Its a bit of a gamble, but often worth it for the good vibes.
Ambience (7.8 out of 10)
mentioned by 87% of the guests
Alright, lets talk about the vibe! This place scores a solid 7.8, with a fantastic 85.9% customer satisfaction, based on 85 positive remarks out of 99 total. People absolutely love the cool vibe and dive bar atmosphere, especially with the low lighting and fun games like pinball and pool.
Its definitely a spot where you can spread out and enjoy the classic bar feel. However, a few of the 8 negative comments did mention some concerns. Some found it full of cigarette smoke with not good ventilation, and a couple noted bright TVs that could detract from the dark ambiance, especially in what some felt was a small space.
It seems like a few tweaks could make it even better.
Ambience
99
Reviews
85%
Satisfaction
8
negative
6
neutral
85
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Cool dive bar vibe
- Games available
- Low lighting
What people don't like
- Cigarette smoke
- Poor ventilation
Often praised
- vibeCool vibe and a t cool place
- atmosphereMy experience at this restaurant was characterized by its dark, divey atmosphere, which created a low-pressure environment. The food was great, and we enjoyed playing shuffle puck.
- gamesThe staff working tonight were incredible. We will definitely be back for the great games, food, and drinks! It was definitely worth the stop.
- pinball machinesPool table, shuffleboard, and pinball machines.
- pool tableMy experience at this restaurant was super chill with down-to-earth staff. The atmosphere was enhanced by the presence of three 50-cent pinball machines, a pool table, a shuffleboard, and a cigarette machine. Although the kitchen was currently down, the microwave was open.
- seatingSpacious seating with large booths and tables
- shuffleboardMy experience at this restaurant was super chill with down-to-earth staff. The atmosphere was enhanced by the presence of three 50-cent pinball machines, a pool table, a shuffleboard, and a cigarette machine. Although the kitchen was currently down, the microwave was open.
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
- arcade gamesThere's a pool table, shuffle board and a couple of arcade games.
- cool placeYou need a cool place to get these things.
Frequently criticized
- bad timeNever a bad time
- barsThe Napoleon complex of bars
- bright TVsThe food was really good. However, I was a bit spoiled by too many overly bright TVs, especially for such a small space. An update is that they've turned some of the TVs off later at night, which is a step in the right direction.
- cigarette smokefull of cigarette smoke
- gimmicksno gimmicks
- hole drilled into partitiona hole drilled into a partition
- small spaceEspecially for such a small space
- ventilationthe ventilation was not good
If youre looking for a chill spot with a classic dive bar feel, plenty of games, and a great atmosphere for conversation, this place is definitely worth checking out. Just be prepared for a potentially smoky environment and some bright screens, though theyre working on it!
Value (5.8 out of 10)
mentioned by 23% of the guests
When it comes to value, this spot seems to offer a bit of a mixed bag, with a customer satisfaction of 53.8%. Based on 7 positive remarks, many folks find the prices pretty good, especially for affordable beverages. Some even noted the food choices are priced super fair, making it a reasonable place to hang out with good value.
However, with a score of 5.8, which is average, not everyone agrees. Out of 13 total comments, 4 negative ones point to some overpriced food, particularly mentioning the burger price. It seems some dishes might not live up to their cost, leading to a feeling of not-so-great value.
Value
13
Reviews
53%
Satisfaction
4
negative
2
neutral
7
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Affordable drinks
- Fair food prices
- Good overall value
What people don't like
- Overpriced food
- Expensive burgers
Often praised
- pricesMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! The servings were big and the prices were good, offering great value. The staff were friendly, contributing to a welcoming atmosphere.
- Price per personPrice per person:$10–20
- affordable beveragesIt's a great place to go hang out for affordable beverages and it's quiet enough in there to where you can actually talk to somebody.
- food choicesthe food choices are priced super fair
- placea fun reasonable place to hang out
Frequently criticized
- burger priceNow it’s a 3 star $18 burger
- overpriced foodThe sloppy Joe was essentially just mashed up ground beef with BBQ sauce, and I couldn't even finish that meal. My advice is to stick to drinks on tap and don’t order the overpriced food.
- priceNearly double the price for nearly half the stars
- statusinsecure of their status
If youre looking for a casual spot with reasonably priced drinks and some fair food options, you might find good value here. However, be cautious with certain menu items, as some customers felt the food, especially burgers, was overpriced. Its a place for affordable hangouts, but maybe not for every meal.
How are the prices at 9lb Hammer?
You’re looking at roughly 30 per person – reported by 21 diners. That puts it in the $21–$30 category. For a Bar & Pub, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
While the average is 30, we see a good chunk of folks spending a bit less, often in the $11–$20 range. But dont be surprised if some guests opt for higher-end choices, as theres a spread up to 100 $.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 21 reviews.
How does this spot stack up against similar places in Seattle when it comes to value for money?
Overall, we think the pricing here feels pretty fair for a Bar & Pub in Seattle. It offers options for different budgets, from a casual drink to a more indulgent evening, which is always a good sign.
Customer Reviews: what people think about 9lb Hammer
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
5
Overpriced Food, Cool Vibe
My experience at this restaurant was a mixed bag. While the vibe was that of a clean dive bar and a cool place to watch the game, the service was unfortunately not kind or helpful. The biggest disappointment was the food, which was quite gross.
For $18, I expected a burger that wasn't overcooked and had some seasoning, but that wasn't the case. The sloppy Joe was essentially just mashed up ground beef with BBQ sauce, and I couldn't even finish that meal. My advice is to stick to drinks on tap and don’t order the overpriced food.
- vibe7
- service2
- food1
- burger2
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Large Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
Noise Level
- Moderate
9
Fun Night with Games and Great Food!
My experience at 9lb was a fun night out! If you enjoy shooting pool or shuffleboard, this is the place to be. They also offer a wide selection of pinball machines and serve great, delicious foods.
- shooting pool9
- shuffleboard9
- pin ball machines8
Price per Person
- $1–$10
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Service Type
- Dine-in
Noise Level
- Quiet
8
Great for Affordable Drinks and Conversation
It's a great place to go hang out for affordable beverages and it's quiet enough in there to where you can actually talk to somebody.
- affordable beverages9
- quiet enough8
- talk to somebody8
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Group Size
- Solo
Service Type
- Dine-in
6
Inconsistent Service Based on Bartender
My first experience at this restaurant was great. The bartender was really cool and nice. However, my second visit was disappointing due to a different bartender who was mean and seemed annoyed.
She claimed they don't serve cocktails, despite me having one just the day before when cocktails were being made frequently. It appears the quality of the experience heavily depends on who is working.
- bartender9
- cocktails2
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Service Type
- Dine-in
9
Great Food, Fun Atmosphere!
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic! The servings were big and the prices were good, offering great value. The staff were friendly, contributing to a welcoming atmosphere.
I particularly loved the dark interior, painted in black and red, which created a unique ambiance. The bottles were displayed well and easy to see, and there was so much to look at on the walls and around the bar, including cool vintage advertising signs and swag. The Foo Fighters pinball machine was a fun addition.
Overall, it was a very enjoyable visit.
- servings9
- prices9
- staff10
What 9lb Hammer offers
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Crowd
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Popular for
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
Offerings
- Food at bar
- Hard liquor
- Happy hour drinks
- Food
- Wine
- Beer
- Cocktails
- Alcohol
Service Options
- Dine-in
- Takeout
Parking
- Free street parking
Atmosphere
- Cozy
- Casual
- Trendy
FAQs
What kind of atmosphere and entertainment can you expect at 9lb Hammer?
At 9lb Hammer, you’ll find a cozy, casual, and trendy atmosphere perfect for unwinding. You can enjoy various bar games and live performances, making it a lively spot for entertainment. It’s a great place to relax and soak in the local vibe in Seattle’s Van Asselt neighborhood.
What types of beverages and food are available at 9lb Hammer?
9lb Hammer offers a wide range of beverages including a great beer selection, wine, cocktails, and hard liquor. You can also enjoy happy hour drinks. For food, they serve delicious options right at the bar, ensuring you have everything you need for a complete experience.
How does 9lb Hammer generally rate with customers?
9lb Hammer holds a Restaurant Score of 7.5 and Customer Satisfaction at 78.6%. Customers particularly appreciate the Ambience (7.8) and Service (7.5), while Food (7.2) is also rated well, though Value (5.8) is more moderate.
What kind of atmosphere can I expect at 9lb Hammer?
You can expect a cool, dark, and divey atmosphere with a low-pressure environment. It’s known for having games like pinball machines, a pool table, and shuffleboard, making it a fun place to hang out.
Is the service at 9lb Hammer consistently good?
Many customers praise the service, describing the staff and bartenders as super friendly, cool, and personable. However, there have been instances where some patrons experienced rude or discriminatory behavior from bartenders.